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Social worker reveals alarming trends of minors engaging in prostitution via social media

Civil organisations and the Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) have made a plea after a social worker shared insights into one of the problems they have to deal with. Image: Pexels / Supplied Parents have again been urged to remain protective and engaged in the online habits of their children, and that they are not being victims of sexual abuse or exploitation. Civil organisations and the Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) have made a plea after a social worker shared insights into one of the problems they have to deal with. During the launch of the DSD's Cape Care Fund, which allows the public to donate towards NGOs that assist the most vulnerable, ACVV Child Protection's Preshema Sewpaul highlighted the immense challenges social workers face. Sewpaul, who works as a social worker in the Cape metro - across areas as Factreton, Kensington, Brooklyn - said their challenges are spread out depending on the area. She said the Factreton area is very rife with gangsterism and substance abuse, and within the Maitland-Brooklyn area, they are facing not only excessive physical abuse, but also minors engaging in prostitution. 'We have a lot of children from there (the area) sitting on social media, deciding to use social media due to high rates of prostitution, and… For them, it's not so much that they stand on the corner. They meet people through social media, alleging that they're over 18, and then they have older foreigners who believe this, and then engage with them sexually. 'And then they are falling pregnant and/or getting STDs. So in that area, I have high rates of teenage pregnancies and runaways from home,' Sewpaul said. The phenomenon of minors being sexual online is not new, with a study from ECPAT, a global network of civil society organisations dedicated to ending child sexual exploitation, in 2021 already explaining that children have always explored their sexuality. 'It is important that adults remind themselves that a lot of a child's life takes place online, meaning that most of what is part and parcel of being a child or young person will also take place there. 'This means that flirting, falling in love, and sex will all be a natural part of children and young people's lives online. Children and young people will continue to explore and experiment with sex, regardless of what their parents say; for many people, the internet may be a safe space to do this,' the study said. 'Occasionally, this will mean that children engage in risk-filled behaviours such as sending nude photographs to each other, having online sex, or meeting people they have got to know online. It is important to remember that risk is not necessarily synonymous with harm, and it is the latter that is important to avoid.' The Sex Worker Education and Advocacy Taskforce (SWEAT) spokesperson, Megan Lessing, said while they have not come across any similar incidents, they believe that even anecdotal evidence should be taken seriously, and that all efforts should be made to shield teens from sexual exploitation. 'Concerns about young people — particularly in under-resourced areas — using social media to engage in transactional sex have been raised anecdotally in various contexts, and they deserve careful attention. 'Even where detailed evidence is limited, these community observations often reflect broader challenges we do see: poverty, lack of opportunity, and limited access to safe, youth-friendly services. These are the conditions that increase vulnerability, especially for young people navigating digital spaces without adequate support or protection,' Lessing said. 'It's important to distinguish between minors (under 18) and young adult sex workers (18+). When minors engage in transactional sex, it is not considered sex work; rather, it is exploitation, and they require protection and support. The dangers include grooming, violence, coercion, and trafficking, with little to no recourse or protection. 'For young adults who are of legal age and choose to do sex work, the use of social media brings both opportunity and risk. While platforms can help them connect with clients more discreetly, they also open them up to digital surveillance, harassment, blackmail, and unsafe working conditions. Because sex work remains criminalised in South Africa, these young adults often cannot access the full range of legal or health services they need to stay safe,' Lessing said. Lessing added that if a child or teen is being sexually exploited — whether in person or online — caregivers should prioritise their safety and wellbeing. 'This means responding with empathy, not punishment, and seeking professional support. Judgment and shame can push young people further into harm's way. 'If a young person is legally an adult and is engaging in sex work, it is still important for families to remain supportive, offer non-judgmental guidance, and help connect them to information, services, and safer options — if that's what they want.' She added that many young adults enter sex work to survive, especially where education, employment, or housing options are limited. Lessing said that it is also important to clarify that sex work is not the same as trafficking or child exploitation. 'Lumping these together harms both adult sex workers and survivors of exploitation by preventing appropriate, tailored responses… We need to understand that survival sex and sex work among youth often arise from systemic failure: lack of housing, education, income, and support. 'Criminalising young adults for trying to survive doesn't solve the problem; it deepens the harm,' Lessing said. Lessing said that SWEAT advocates for the full decriminalisation of adult sex work and stressed that it would improve safety, health access, and rights for all sex workers, including younger adults who are often most vulnerable. 'Criminalisation of sex work discourages reporting, blocks access to justice, and pushes the entire industry underground — making it even harder to detect and address cases of exploitation, including those involving minors.' The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) and the DSD have come out to urge for the protection of children and that parents and caregivers be vigilant of what their children are doing online. DSD spokesperson Esther Lewis said whether or not the children are the ones seen as initiating contact, 'if they are underage, it remains a criminal offence', and that anyone with knowledge of this should report it to the authorities. 'It is the responsibility of adults to ensure they do not participate in sexual interactions and inappropriate relationships with children. We urge parents and caregivers to monitor their children's social media use, as well as their movements. 'While it's not always possible to watch your child's every move, it's essential that parents know who their children are communicating with online, who their friends are, and where they are going when they leave the home,' Lewis said. 'We acknowledge it is difficult or uncomfortable for some, but it is of the utmost importance that parents have age-appropriate conversations with their children about topics such as sex, sexual health, and STIs, and sensitise them to the potential consequences thereof. 'If parents or caregivers see the early signs of their children displaying challenging behaviour, they should immediately reach out to a social worker for assistance.' CGE spokesperson Javu Baloyi condemned the acts and incidents of sexual abuse directed towards children. 'Communities, particularly parents and guardians, are obligated by law to report the incidents of violence and abuse against those who prey on children. Technology-facilitated violence and crime must be reported to law enforcement agencies. 'Teenage pregnancy shouldn't be normalised; those who sexually violate children must be made to face the law,' Baloyi said. 'Parents and guardians are encouraged to monitor children so that they can minimise the possible harmful exposure children might get on social media. Moreover, society is obligated to report apps that are not child-friendly.' Baloyi said that screen time for children should be monitored to minimise and regulate vulnerabilities. 'More education must be given to children to sensitise them about identifying early warnings of possible online harm. Online self-awareness and being alert are key in identifying possible harm. 'Law enforcement agencies and education institutions must increase dialogues that address technology-facilitated GBV, must be inclusive enough, and must not leave children with disabilities in their online education and awareness efforts.' [email protected]